Kate Garraway referred to the “long term damage” of coronavirus on today’s Good Morning Britain, after witnessing her husband Derek Draper’s health battle.
Dad-of-two Derek was admitted to hospital with coronavirus back in March, and though he no longer has the virus, it has wreaked havoc on his internal organs.
The 53-year-old was joined by Dr Hilary Jones and Alex Beresford on today’s show, discussing the long-term side effects of Covid.
She said, with Derek, “once the virus has gone, it’s the long term damage” that truly was a cause for concern.
Dr Hilary agreed, saying: “You know more than anybody what a devastating effect the virus can have even if it’s no longer in the system.”
The ITV doc added that “doctors are misdiagnosing symptoms” as patients continue to suffer from exhaustion and breathlessness in the months after contracting Covid.
Dr Hilary described the “devastating effect” of Covid on today’s GMB (Image: ITV)
Getting a medical update, Kate asked: “People sort of recognise things that aren’t right about themselves even if they’ve had it relatively mildly and haven’t gone to the hospital. Do they go to their doctor and flag it?”
Dr Hilary replied: “I certainly think they need to discuss it with their GP, they need some sort of strategy, a coping strategy.
“It might be just graded exercise – expecting this to last for a little while, good nutrition, making sure that your lifestyle is healthy, so not drinking too much alcohol, healthy food, fresh air.”
Derek was admitted to hospital with coronavirus back in March (Image: GC Images)
Dr Hilary also suggested patients seek “psychological support,” encouraging viewers to spend time talking “to their friends and the people who care about them”.
He added: “You’ve survived – that’s the thing that’s the most important feature.”
Later in the episode, GMB presenter Kate also revealed she is writing a book about the experience of Derek’s health battle.
Dr Hilary added that “doctors are misdiagnosing symptoms” after patients suffer from Covid (Image: ITV)
She said: “Just before Derek got sick I started writing a book.
“It was going to be called ‘Good Morning Life: How to Wake Up and Smile’.”
Kate added that she is “still going to write it” but will include the traumatic experiences of recent months in the autobiography.
Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays at 6am on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
